Best Adventure Boats in 2025

NAVAN is a new brand hitting the water, a proud and impressive player coming out of Brunswick Corporation, parent company of venerable vessels like Boston Whaler.

The very capable engineering and design prowess that Brunswick has dedicated to the Navan C30 is evident in its sleek design and practical performance.

Step aboard the C30 and there are some features that stand out, some tiny house designs that maximize space and allow for owners to transform seating for different occasions. The rear cabin window flips up to socially merge with the cockpit, making the wet bar the centerpiece, for example.

The C30 is great for coastal exploring or fishing trips, towing and entertaining on anchor or in harbor. Its spacious cabin and functional head will be great for day trips and very accommodating for overnight stays or weekend adventures.

A powerhouse on the water, the Wellcraft Explorer 38 is crafted for offshore adventures. Its rugged design and high-performance capabilities are complemented by ample living space.

Recently rebranded from the “355” name to reflect the full length, the Explorer 38 has just a bit more space–at least it feels that way. Love the side door by the helm, it’s solid and reliable like the rest of this boat.

There’s not so much a tiny house feel to this adventure boat as much as there is a practical approach to using the space available. It’s not cramped and yet there are distinct areas for fishing or towing, for fenders, for cooking and eating, for sleeping or sunbathing, and for sleeping.

This has one of the nicer berths in this category of boat, reminiscent of the comfort you’d expect from cabin cruisers.

There’s much to be said about the living space on-board this 38-footer, but Benneteau has put forth a boat worthy of crashing through the waves no matter the weather. Maybe a bit pricier than some other explorer/adventure boats here, but still reasonable for a starting price a bit north of $500k.

With a pedigree hardened in the Finish waters throughout the entire year, the 29 XC shows off more than 10 years of Axopar’s experience.

This is the newest range from Axopar and reflects an ambition to do things differently, to make boats that invited bad weather while maximizing the potential of purpose. Like Navan, Axopar uses the pilothouse style cabin for roof rack storage. The 29 XC excels here providing space for SUP boards and kayaks.

The 29 range includes other customizable boats, like the fishing-ready center console CCX, but this cross cabin version utilizes the 29 feet of space to house a clever berth under the aft sunpad.

Combine that with wet bar and smart-shade designs and you get something that finds a way to be a fun-driving, easy-navigating weekender for those that fancy a more bare-bones approach to leisure and adventure.

Starting at well under $80k, this hits a ripe, sweet-spot for first-time boat owners as well as practical and seasoned explorers.

The Nimbus C11 stands out with its spacious interior. The salon has one of the best viewing panaramas on any boat. Period.

So much praise has been heaved onto the Commuter Series and specifically the C11 for this, but it’s the beam and length that allows for this and shouldn’t be directly compared with smaller adventure boats. For some extra cost you get a little more, but Nimbus delivers on sound manufacturing and design.

You get a little extra power and more entertaining out of this, but don’t expect an easy trailering. Still, you can put this weekend-capable explorer on a beach or host almost 10 people at the dockside.

It’s a reliable option for all-weather cruising with more power and great electrics that has its roots in the Adriatic playground all year round. About twice as expensive as the 30-foot Nimbus C9, this vessel has just a little more comfort for longer journeys by people who need a bit more space.

With its sleek lines and efficient design, the Saxdor 320 GTC opens up in a way that most other boats in this class don’t. It’s about the fold-down freeboards aft that expand the cockpit into a large 12-foot social space.

Saxdor shares some of the same genesis of Axopar’s designs (Saxdor’s founder, Sakari Mattila co-designed earlier Axopar boats). Where Saxdor shines though is not necessarily in the tough all-weather Pacific NorthWest or frigid Baltic, but probably somewhere along the Amalfi Coast or sunshine state.

Although an affordable and completely capable all-weather adventure boat, standing on the expanded cockpit deck on anchor in clement weather is special. Other than that social luxury, much of the accommodations are reasonably simple, with manually movable furniture, a very decent head and a basic berth.

A used 320 GTC runs around $200k or find a new one decked out somewhere closer to $300k.

The Viggo C11 stands out as a durable, lightweight aluminum boat designed primarily for efficient transport. Unlike other adventure boats, the Viggo C11 offers a minimalist approach, focusing on functionality over luxury. Its 100% electric propulsion option makes it an eco-friendly choice, perfect for those seeking sustainable boating solutions.

With a range of 85 nautical miles at lower cruising speeds, expect a reasonable amount of adventure. One exciting application of this spartan boat is cruising from beach to beach, pitching a camp with the C11 pulled up onto the sand.

The salon features a unique in-fill table that can be lowered to create a double berth, adding some versatility for short stays. However, the lack of a cuddy cabin or additional comfortable amenities limits its appeal for extended excursions.

The Viggo C11 is ideal for individuals who prioritize efficient transport, eco-friendly boating, and robust durability over onboard luxury. While it may not be suitable for entertainment or weekend getaways, its aluminum build ensures resilience, and the electric option positions it as a forward-thinking choice in the adventure boat market.